Letters to the Editor: For Jan. 2, 2014

My wife and I moved to Saratoga some 25 years ago seeking out a better life for ourselves and our two daughters. We were looking for a safe and community-oriented environment to raise our daughters in and for me to eventually start a practice.

To say that our expectations have been exceeded would be an understatement. Moving to Saratoga Springs has undoubtedly been one of the best decisions that my wife and I have ever made. Three out of our now four children are grown and living on their own, and our fourth will be off to college next fall. Our future plans have always involved us living in Saratoga Springs after we retire, but given current prospect of full-scale casino-style gambling coming to our town, I must say we are seriously reconsidering our retirement plans.

I read with great interest Jenny Mirling’s recent editorial regarding people’s “exit strategies,” should casino gambling become a reality in our town. This really struck a chord with my wife and I, and it made us both very sad to seriously consider the prospect of actually having to do the same ourselves.

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However, as a psychologist, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects that compulsive gambling has on families and communities. While I am certainly no oncologist, I can safely say that casino gambling is a “cancer” that destroys individuals and communities. Like a cancer, casino gambling starts its destruction in very slow and subtle ways, but the results are always the same- gradual complete and utter devastation, and ultimately death.

My wife and I have come to love this community and we both consider Saratoga Springs our home. It pains us greatly to witness the powers that be “gamble” with our future and risk destroying our wonderful community. Of course, the protagonists tout the benefits of more jobs and increased economic opportunities for our downtown businesses. However, this is all smoke and mirrors. Looking at the statistics of virtually any town that has moved in this direction paints a vastly different picture. Casinos are specifically designed to keep their customers at the casino. That’s why they offer very cheap meals and very affordable accommodations. They want to keep their patron’s money in one place, at the casino. The result is a decrease in economic activity outside the casino and increased crime rates as well.

This means greater costs for taxpayers in terms of increased police and firefighters presence, as well as decreased revenue for downtown businesses. The politicians will try to spin it quite differently, but the only people who benefit from the casinos are the state. The good of the few ultimately outweighs the good of the many. How typical and unfortunate that this seems to be the norm in our state and our country.

Our hope is that this not a done deal, although when you see the racino planning a $40 million expansion and the proliferation of new hotels downtown, it is very easy to believe that it is. It is our hope and prayer that concern for family and community will ultimately outweigh the almighty dollar in making the final determination. We have far too much to lose and very little to gain if the profit motive ultimately prevails.